Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-08-12
FRIDAY MORNING. AUG. 70. 1887.
THE DEMOCRATIC STATE CON-
VENTION AT ROANOKE.

THE DEMOCRAIIC STATE CON-
VENTION AT ROANOKE.
In truth the Democratic party Of Vir-
ginia has got good lot of common sense,
honest purpose. and sincere desire to do
the best for the people of its State. in its
head. Besides that it has good deal of
honest courage. We have read with a
great deal of interest the platform it's con-
ventlon put forth at Roanoke. 1t is worth
the examination of every man concerned
in the good government Of the State. The
truth of the statements contained in it
would be hard to contradict by a conscien-
tious opponent of it.
It has since its restoration to power
given Virginia peaceful, honest, and
just government. We think it will be con-
coded by all. that to all citizens and to all
interests the State government has been
fair, stimulating to activity, and encour-
aging to kindly feeling between all its
people.
The resolution about Cleveland is a
photograph; Sc he is wise, conscientious,
fearless, and honest" Little more could
people desire Of their Chief Executive !?
The immediate repeal Of the internal
revenue system" is longing deep in the
hearts Of the Virginians who have paid
millions upon miIlions-more than enough
to have paid their whole State debtor
this war tax.
A tariff revenue "limited to the neces-
sites of the government" and $50 adjust
ed in its application as to encourage pro-
ductiye interests at home," "but not
to foster monopolies.," is just what every
man IN the Union regardless of party, ex-
cept the monopolists, wants. No better
tariff plank could be put in platform.
The reafirmation of it's allegiance to the
Riddleberger bill is the reiteration of a
pledge to the people, most sound in its
character and most advantageous in its
enforcement. The Riddleberger bill OF
nothing, was the cry of the Readjuster
party, and the Democracy having pledged
itself to stand by that bill will do so to the
last.
The pledge to urge upon congress the
return to Virginia of at least as much ter
ritory as was taken from her in order thai
the restored territory may be used to re-
lieve her financial burdens is fair, reason
able, and exact justice.
The resolution to appeal for Federal
aid to education in the State, after the
idea of the Blair bill, is what was expec-
ted and desired by the people.
The planks regarding labor and agricul-
tural interests are good, and the endorse
ment Of Gov. Lee Is a well merited one.
So much fol the platform. Of the con-
vention itself and the spirit animating it,
we have heard nothing but good. VIM
F. Drinkard, the Chief Editor of the
Richmond Dispatch, who carries on his
shoulders one of the wisest heads that ever
helped to shape Virginia politics, and who
has been member of nearly every Demo
cratic State Convention for thirty years,
expresses the opinion that il was the best
convention in harmony. conservatism and
energetic spirit chat he ever saw in the
State. And every delegate who returns from
it gives the same account. Col. Tabb, OF
Hampton, who was at the White Sulphur,
feared that his district night not have a
large representation, the distance to Roa,
noke being SO great. On reaching the con-
vention he found that his district had
very near the largest there. Senator lay
lor Ellyson of Richmond, who came to
Staunton from the convention, and who
has had large political experience, inform
ed the writer that he had never seen a con-
Yention with such Il perfect accord OF
purpose.
And SO we see with large-there were
seven hundred and fifty delegates present
harmonious and spirited convention:
with platform which has not flaw that
one can discover, we have q most excel
lent opening for victorious campaign
There are no differences in the party to be
settled, and our only care should be to see
that our old enemy Apathy, and his ally,
Overcorfdence, do not steal into our camp
We all know; we all have bitter and NOR
titled remembrance of last November let US
this time guard well against its repetition.
The Republicans who were in our front
last fall were even twenty thousand less in
number than those we had faced before,
and yet Apathy turned our flank and we
lost the fight. We ara to have this fall as
our leader man who is one of the most
successful party organizers Virginia ever
had, and Wno had he been here
last fill would have given us
victory. But we Nmust not let the
idea take possession Of us that sim
ply because Mr.. Barbour is in the lead, we
are not called on for the most active uvork-
no half day, but from sun to sun. Lib
erality in labor and means must be prac-
ticed. Both will be used by the Republi-
cans and we must match them, days work
for days work and dollar for dollar. Every
Democrat means to win this victory, but
the political sheol is paved with the good
intentions of those who mean to do, but
are not found in the vineyard even at the
eleventh hour.
The Alexandria Gazette, which is a
Morrison Reform, anti Riddleberger set
Element, anti-Cleveland, anti-civiI-service
Democratic paper, says with regard to the
Joff cd of